ANE Fun

So, I don’t know if everybody knows this, but I was just asked (a few days back) to teach Ancient Near East History at the same school where I work in the afternoons. So, in my frantic searching for materials I pulled out some of the fun magic spells and incantations that I had lying on my shelf at home. I thought they would be appropriate for both little Zeke and for Deedee (We’ll revisit Deedee’s when the time is a little closer.)

For Bloodshot Eyes
Cloudy eyes, blurred eyes, bloodshot eyes!
Why do you cloud over, why do you blur?
Why do sand of river, pollen of date palm,
Pollen of fig tree, straw of winnower sting you?
If I called you, come,
If I did not call you, you must not come!
(Be off), before north, south, east, and west wind have risen against you!

Run Hither To Me!
[This little spell addresses the baby about to be born.]
Run hither to me like a gazelle,
Slip out to me like a little snake!
I, Asulluhi, am the midwife,
I will receive you!

Andrew